Austin traffic has never been worse due to the recent rapid expansions, and because of this growth, you’re probably going to need an Austin Car Accident Lawyer sometime in the future. If you have been involved in an auto accident in Austin, Texas, you may be entitled to compensation. It’s important to understand your legal rights and options.
Call our experienced Austin Car Accident lawyer today at 512-961-0911 to schedule a free consultation. Our Austin Car Accident Attorney will provide a free consultation and free case review and answer any questions you may have.
Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. Because of the rapid influx of growth spurred on by the Covid pandemic and companies fleeing New York and California, the infrastructure and roadways have not been able to keep up, and traffic and car accidents are on the rise.
Your Austin Car Accident Lawyers know and understand that an auto accident can happen to good people. We live in a state with the second-highest car accident rates in the country; Texas roadways had over 561,582 crashes in 2019. From catastrophic accidents involving multi-car pile-ups to motorcyclists being swept off the road as a commercial truck changes lanes, motor vehicle collisions in the Lone Star State devastate families every day.
Common Auto Accident Cases in Texas
There are several different types of car accidents. Here are some of the most common:
- Single Vehicle Accidents
- Head-on Crashes
- Rear-end Collisions
- Rollovers
- Fatal Crashes
- Hit and Run Accidents
- Ride-share Accidents
Injuries Caused By Car Accidents
Any vehicle accident can result in an injury, but the severity and type vary from case to case. Below are some of the frequent personal injury claims that Attorney Jerome O. Fjeld represents on behalf of his clients hurt in a Texas car accident:
Whiplash
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries that an experienced car accident attorney will help their clients seek compensation for through a car accident lawsuit or claim through an insurance company. This soft tissue injury is caused by the rapid jerking motion of an impact that causes the head to snap forward, down, and back, ultimately resulting in serious injuries to the soft tissues in the head and neck.
Burn injuries
Some car crashes may lead to open flames from ignited fluids from a damaged vehicle and burn injuries have the potential to be life-altering injuries. The skin is the largest organ of the body and protects us from infections, and burns from a motor vehicle crash can lead to severe infections, scarring, and the necessity for multiple surgeries that lead to substantial medical expenses and a variety of other impacts that a victim deserves fair compensation for.
Soft-tissues injuries
In addition to whiplash, there are many other soft tissue injuries such as sprains and tears that can happen during motorcycle accidents, drunk driving accidents, rollover accidents, and all other types of Austin car wrecks. A soft-tissue injury may be more challenging to prove, which is why it is so important to work with Austin car accident attorneys who can help prove and quantify the significance of these types of injuries while fighting to get you fair compensation through an auto accident lawsuit or claim against the auto insurance policy of the other driver.
Broken or fractured bones
Fractures are common car crash injuries that also lead to significant medical expenses, as well as lost wages and a variety of other damages that a victim suffers as a result of someone else’s negligence. Partnering with experienced legal representation to seek a fair settlement after an auto wreck is one of the best ways to navigate a case that resulted in a catastrophic injury such as a compound fracture because there are countless “intangible” impacts in these personal injury cases that go beyond the measurable issues like lost income and medical bills.
Spinal injuries
The spinal cord is responsible for protecting the major nerve bundles running from the brain to the base of the back, and these nerves control nearly all major motor functions in the body. Disruption to these nerves due to car accident injuries or other impacts can lead to paralysis, a serious injury characterized by the loss of motor function and even sensation of the limbs below the injury site. As you can imagine, paralysis stemming from car accidents will seriously alter the life of both the victim and their loved ones, and an experienced car accident lawyer will work to quantify these impacts as they fight to recover fair compensation after Travis County car crashes.
Traumatic brain and other related head injuries
A TBI, or traumatic brain injury, is any injury to the brain resulting from a traumatic impact. The most common type of TBI is a concussion, ranging from a mild issue that clears itself in a matter of days to a severe concussion that leads to long-term and chronic problems known as post-concussion syndrome. No matter how minor you believe your own TBI to be, it is essential to consult with a medical professional immediately to ensure that your injuries are appropriately treated and that you have proof of these injuries as you seek compensation from the other driver.
Lacerations, scrapes, and bruising
Commonly, those involved in an accident will report lacerations, bruising, and other similar injuries due to contact with broken glass and other sharp objects or a forceful impact with a solid surface like an unbroken window, seatbelt injuries, or even an airbag. Depending on the size and depth of the laceration or scrape, or the intensity of the bruising, these injuries may heal on their own or could require surgical intervention.
If you or a family member were recently injured in a car wreck in Austin, TX, and are suffering from any of these injuries, you must speak with an experienced Austin personal injury attorney right away. Many of the medical costs, lost wages, and property damages associated with your crash may qualify for compensation for the negligent party that caused the accident.
Common Factors That Cause Car Accidents In Austin, Texas
Texas is a hub for business and filled with family-friendly communities, so it is no wonder that state roadways see large amounts of traffic. With increased traffic comes a heightened risk of being involved in a car accident. These traumatizing incidents usually involve a negligent driver who does not consider others’ safety on the road when they commit reckless actions.
Below are some of the most common reasons an auto accident happens in Texas:
Texting While Driving
Texting while driving is illegal in Texas, and some cities have gone a step further and banned all cell phone use while behind the wheel. Unfortunately, many accidents are still caused by motorists who take their eyes off the road to read or reply to a message they received, thus endangering others around them and increasing the risk of car accidents.
Distracted Drivers
In 2019, over 390,000 car accident-related injuries were due to distracted drivers. When one is eating, talking on the phone, or even fiddling with their radio, focus gets pulled off the roadway and can lead to a tragic outcome. Texas led the nation in distracted driving incidents that same year, and distracted driving seems to be an issue that will not go away any time soon.
Driving Under The Influence
Whether driving while drunk or after taking a simple prescription for allergies, a drunk driver puts everyone’s safety in jeopardy when driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Illicit drugs like Fentanyl have also led to an increase in vehicle crashes in the nation. Drunk driving cases are complicated and emotional, but our law firm will provide you with the legal resources to take on the responsible Texas drivers, whether they are uninsured motorists or we are seeking compensation from their insurer.
Speeding
With 70 miles per hour speed limits on many Texas highways, speed often plays a significant role in causing crashes as well as in the severity of any injuries suffered. Drivers who exceed the limits on posted traffic signs have an increased risk of losing control of their vehicle when encountering an object or unexpected bump or pothole on the road. Speeding is a factor in a majority of traffic fatalities, and even accidents that do not result in traffic deaths typically cite speed as a contributing factor, as well.
Road Work
Road maintenance is a nightmare for many Texans who rush to get to work or back home. Construction zones usually have reduced speeds and lane closures to ensure worker safety. Still, some drivers ignore these important cautions and cause unnecessary tragedy when they lose control on uneven pavement or strike a worker. Some law firms may not be comfortable working with claims if an accident occurred in a work zone, but our team of super lawyers is ready to help you fight for the money you are rightfully entitled to regardless of the circumstances.
Traffic Signage Or Lighting Not Functioning Correctly
There are occasions when new road construction alters traffic flows and patterns for detouring, which may require manual adjustment of signage and lighting. This situation also means an increase in human error and the potential for auto accidents. Accidents can happen when a yield sign should have been a stop or the light timing was incorrect.
Improper Vehicle Maintenance
Maintaining our cars is a critical piece of driver safety that many motorists procrastinate about. When driving on tires that need replacement, a blowout could cause a loss of control and result in a car accident.
Texas Statute Of Limitations On Personal Injury Suits
Texas has a statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims against liable parties. According to Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code section 16.003, drivers, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and even bicyclists who sustain injuries in a motor vehicle collision have two years from the date of the crash to file.
Don’t Wait To Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
This may sound like a lot of time, but in actuality, it is not when trying to recover from catastrophic injuries that have changed your life. Your attorney will need to first navigate the complexities of modified comparative negligence before even looking towards calculating your damages. In the event of an accident with an underinsured motorist, there will be even more work to do to get you the money you deserve. Contact us as soon as possible for legal advice and to learn more about the car accident cases we are ready to help you through.
Compensation For Accident Victims In Injury Cases:
- Car repairs
- Medical costs
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Loss of wages
- Wrongful death
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of ability to work
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
Very rarely, a Texas court might award punitive damages in cases where the at-fault party was egregiously negligent in their actions that caused you harm. These damages have a cap that is the larger of either:
- $200,000, or;
- Twice the economic damage award and an equal amount in non-economic damages with a cap of $750,000.
Surviving the traumatic experience of a car crash can leave you feeling disoriented and unsure of what steps you need to take. Being injured or incapacitated makes the likelihood of receiving a fair or maximum compensation award slim while working with an insurance company. The liable driver and their insurance company will have attorneys who will do everything in their power to minimize your suffering and deflect blame onto you so that any payout is minimal and ideally focused solely on property damage while avoiding the myriad other impacts you have suffered.
Don’t struggle with the next steps and the insurance companies after a car accident. Contact the personal injury law firm of Jerome O. Fjeld, PLLC, right away to ease the burden of pursuing your compensation claim. His team of attorneys can advise you and your family on the best next steps for your case and act on your behalf to get your rightful compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
How The Law Firm Of Jerome O. Fjeld Can Help Your Austin Texas Car Accident Case
You may think that hiring a personal injury lawyer for your Texas car accident case will eat up any compensation you might receive, but this is untrue. Car insurance companies dread dealing with a qualified Texas claims attorney because they will not be able to manipulate you into taking their pitiful settlement offers. Austin Truck Accident Lawyers familiar with collision claims have extensive knowledge of what insurers are liable for and the tricks they use to take advantage of vulnerable injury victims.
No matter how helpful an insurance adjuster may sound, they are there for one reason alone: to save money on your claim. They use highly trained lawyers to fool you into minimizing your pain, admitting fault when you have none, and convince you that a low-ball settlement offer is standard for your type of case. These actions are why you should make hiring a personal injury attorney a top priority after being hurt in a car accident. Not only will you be able to focus on healing, but attorneys like Jerome O. Fjeld can put a stop to these abusive tactics and ensure that any offer you receive is fair and covers your loss for now and into the future.
Qualities you should look for in a skilled personal injury attorney for your car accident case include:
- Handle all claim paperwork and court filings on your behalf
- Is compassionate about your circumstances and answers all of your concerns
- Negotiate for a fair compensation amount with the liable insurance companies and parties
- Determine what economic, non-economic, and punitive damages you should pursue
- Gather all necessary evidence to back up your claim, including record requests, expert witness testimony, and more
- Be focused on your well-being now and for the long run when representing you
Attorney Jerome O. Fjeld takes your need to heal and move on from tragic events like a car accident to hear every decision and advice he gives. He ensures that you never doubt that your interests are protected and will never accept settlements that fail to address your damages fairly. His law team has won millions in compensation for Texas families who suffered losses because of negligent drivers. Contact his law firm today to learn more about how his legal services can benefit your case.
Call Your Austin Car Accident Lawyers Before Talking To The Insurance Company
After suffering financial losses because of lost wages or losing the capacity to perform your job, seeing that first settlement offer may be extremely tempting, no matter how undervalued it may appear. Accepting such offers frees the insurance company from further liability in your claim. This can be problematic because it is hard to know for sure what one’s prognosis will be in the future if a thorough care plan has not been completed yet. If ongoing care is necessary, taking that award will likely not cover the long-term cost of treatment and will force you to pay for it out of your own pocket. The insurance companies are counting on this fact because it saves them money.
This reason alone is why allowing a Texas personal injury attorney to represent your case is vital if you expect to receive fair compensation. Having an expert familiar with negligence law negotiating on your behalf, even if it means going to trial, is the only way to ensure you receive compensation that will cover all of your losses. Knowing that you have suffered an injury because of another driver’s negligence is not enough to win your claim.
Texas law demands that liability be proven by the plaintiff, which requires a skilled legal professional to build a solid case demonstrating the loss you have suffered because of another’s actions behind the wheel. Do not get bullied into accepting a settlement that does not cover all your losses and expenses.
Trust Reputable Texas Personal Injury Attorneys With Your Car Accident Claim In Austin, TX
Every day, millions of people drive throughout Texas going about their daily lives, and every day thousands sustain catastrophic injuries after suffering a car accident. If you or a loved one have recently survived a collision in the Lonestar State, you may be unsure who to turn to. You may have doubts about how personal injury lawsuits and insurance company claims work or if your claim warrants having an Austin Truck Accident Attorney to represent you. In short, providing clients with adequate time and care is about respect.
At the law firm of Jerome O. Fjeld, our car accident attorneys understand this concern. You want to hire lawyers in Austin, TX that will return your calls and answer your questions in terms that you understand. Personal injury trial lawyer Jerome O. Fjeld not only respects his clients, he genuinely cares about their experience and needs. He treats the trust he is given with great care and takes his duty as your personal injury counsel seriously.
Call Today To Schedule A Free Consultation
One thing is for certain after a car wreck; the insurance company will not look out for your well-being in the long run. The only objective of any adjuster is to save money by any means possible. Whether by demanding an official statement just hours after the accident when you couldn’t possibly know how badly you are hurt or by purposely misconstruing information on the police report to shift blame to you, insurers do not care about your plight.
Austin Personal Injury Lawyer Jerome O. Fjeld and his legal team believe the injured should be made whole and receive fair compensation covering all of their losses and damages, including medical bills, impacts to your earnings, and more. He and his associates will take your case to the courtroom if negotiations fail with the at-fault party or their insurance. With a proven track record in personal injury suits, Austin Car Accident Lawyer Jerome has earned membership into the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, as well as the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Contact our office today to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case and learn more about possible next steps.
